Europlanet Teams Day returns on 12 November 2025! Join us online, for free, for a fast-paced day of networking themed around interactive activities and breakout sessions with our regional hubs, thematic committees and working groups.
Europlanet Teams Day will get the community talking and working together, with an emphasis on upcoming opportunities within Europlanet and within the broader European funding landscape.
Join us on 12 November to meet new collaborators within the Europlanet community, find out about upcoming opportunities and how you can be involved.
Europlanet Evaluation Shows Networking and Collaboration Pave the Way to High Impact Science: Case Study Featured in Nature Astronomy
Evaluation of the impact of the most recent €10-million Europlanet project funded by the European Commission (EC) has been featured as a case study in the journal Nature Astronomy, published today.
The Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI) project, which ran between 1 February 2020 and 31 July 2024, provided access to the world’s largest coordinated collection of planetary simulation and analysis facilities, virtual access to data services and tools, funding for upgrades to facilities and programmes, and a range of activities to support the community though networking, training, professional development and access to a telescope network. The project, which involved over 50 partners, was one of the most complex distributed research infrastructures ever funded by the EC.
From proposal stage, an Impact Evaluation Officer – the social scientist Jen DeWitt – was recruited and embedded in the project to delve into and document its results, outcomes and longer-term impacts.
Lonneke Roelofs from the Netherlands visited the Mars Chamber at the Open University, UK, through the Europlanet 2024 RI Transnational Access Programme. Credit: L Roelofs.
The comment piece in Nature Astronomy highlights how having robust evaluation built into a project from the beginning leads to high-impact science and an outwards looking ethos that benefits the whole planetary community. Key findings from the evaluation also show that the networking and personal contacts associated with participation in the project’s activities, particularly the Transnational Access visits to laboratories and field sites, lead to better science, new avenues of research and long-lasting collaborations that would not have otherwise occurred.
“It’s never a straightforward pipeline between funding going in and good science coming out. Many things happen in the middle, and it’s important to understand what those factors are and how they affect the quality and longer-term impacts of the science itself, as well as the researchers doing the work and the wider communities around them,” explained DeWitt. “For students and early-career researchers starting out, these impacts are particularly important as they provide opportunities that would otherwise not be available to them and accelerate their careers.”
The evaluation of Europlanet 2024 RI was structured around five impact areas defined in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reference framework for evaluating research infrastructures, including scientific, technological, training and education, economic and societal impacts. Together with the project management team and activity leads, DeWitt defined key performance indicators that were mapped onto strategic objectives within the impact areas, and these were regularly reviewed, refined and updated over the course of the project. As well as quantitative metrics, like numbers of users and publications, DeWitt also gathered qualitative feedback through open-ended questions in surveys and via interviews.
Europlanet 2024 RI networking workshop. Credit: A Fratti.
Nigel Mason, the Coordinator of Europlanet 2024 RI and its predecessor RI project said: “This project was the last in a series that have received €28 million funding over 20 years from the EC. Although we had collected the metrics required by the EC for all past projects, this time, we wanted a more in-depth understanding of the results and outcomes, in both the short and longer term. To do that, we needed to bring in someone with the right expertise to work with us right from the start.
“Having a dedicated evaluator who had the time and expertise to gather more in-depth feedback meant that we could see how interactions with users developed over time and how the different strands of the project came together and functioned as a whole to support the community.”
The evaluation – and the management of the project itself – was complicated by the world events of 2020-24, including the pandemic, wars in Ukraine and Ethiopia, and the associated financial and societal challenges. Many activities required temporary or permanent adaptations in response to lockdowns, travel restrictions, health issues and personnel changes. Some barriers to impact remained, particularly with respect to widening participation from parts of the community that are under-represented in planetary science, where face-to-face participation and hosting events locally have been shown to be particularly important.
Nonetheless, the evaluation showed impact in all areas monitored, particularly with respect to scientific and training. The project has resulted in over 250 publications and conference presentations to date, and the mentoring, expert exchanges, training programmes and summer schools were all highlighted as being particularly important for early careers and researchers from under-represented countries during the pandemic. Over 90% of Transnational Access visits have resulted in ongoing research collaborations, and two thirds of participants reported that they followed up new avenues of research as a result of their visit.
Understanding what did and did not work for users and how both users and project partners benefited over time were key to delivering a successful project and defining what should come next.
“This evaluation is not just important in explaining to the European Commission – and the public taxpayers – about how their money has been spent and why the results have been beneficial to science and society. It has also had a vital practical use in helping us to identify where we should prioritise limited resources going forwards,” said Europlanet Vice-President, Anita Heward. “Europlanet is now a self-sustaining non-profit association and, if we are to continue to support the planetary community, we need to know where Europlanet’s activities have the biggest impact and best value for money. The evaluation has helped us do this in a robust, evidence-driven way.”
The importance of collaboration and networking in delivering high-impact planetary science was a key finding, with the evaluation helping to identify exactly how and why they are important.
“These results show that the popular stereotypes of scientists as lone geniuses working in isolation are diametrically opposite to how good science happens in practice. Success in research comes through building networks, talking, listening, learning and collaborating with colleagues – especially when it happens at an international and cross-border level. When we are talking to the next generation about careers in science, or to policy makers, the strength and importance of community is something that we should highlight and be really proud of,” said DeWitt.
DeWitt, J., Heward, A. & Mason, N.J. Insights into evaluating a research project through an impact case study of a pan-European research infrastructure. Nat Astron9, 1415–1417 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-025-02684-7
Europlanet 2024 RI has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 871149.
Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement 2025 Awarded to RECA Educación
The 2025 Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement has been awarded to Red de Estudiantes Colombianos en Astronomía (RECA) Educación, a Colombian non-profit network of volunteers that aims to bring science, astronomy and planetary science to schools and communities across Colombia.
RECA Educación representatives Laura Ramirez Galeano and Natalia Oliveros received the prize, which comes with a cash award of €1000, and gave a lecture during the opening ceremony of the joint meeting of Europlanet Science Congress and the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Science (EPSC-DPS2025) in Helsinki.
Thibaut Roger, presenting the prize on behalf of Europlanet, said: “RECA is an inspirational organisation that carries out impactful work to engage communities and groups in remote and rural areas where access to science education can be extremely limited. Through the Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement, we are proud to recognise the importance of the volunteer work from RECA and its approach of combining rigorous science with culturally sensitive and inclusive teaching methods. They are a model for what astronomy outreach can achieve when driven by equity, passion and purpose.”
The RECA association, founded in 2012, seeks to create and maintain strong links among Colombian astronomy students in the country and around the world. One of RECA’s main goals is to build a collaborative community of early-career and professional astronomers to strengthen the country’s scientific development and foster long-term academic growth. Since 2021, the educational node, RECA Educación, has spearheaded a public scientific outreach programme that deploys online communications to construct a bridge between professional scientists and school students across the country, including in the most rural communities.
RECA Educación has developed multiple projects such as La Astronomía va a tu colegio (Astronomy Talks in Your School), Remote Observations in partnership with Shadow the Scientists, drawing contests, and BARCO (Bringing Astronomy to Rural Communities). The network currently reaches hundreds of schools in all 32 regions of Colombia, as well as participating in international collaborations to connect schools with scientists around the world.
The RECA team is composed primarily of young scientists and students, who are passionate about making science a right, not a privilege. Despite limited resources, they have developed creative and inclusive formats for delivering astronomy content, including storytelling sessions and hands-on experiments adapted for the home or classroom.
On receiving the prize, Ramirez Galeano said: “We are truly honoured to receive the Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement 2025. It brings us great joy and motivation to know that our efforts to bring astronomy and planetary science to underserved and often overlooked communities are appreciated at such a level.”
As a next step, with the support of the Europlanet prize funding, RECA Educación aims to distribute to schools across Colombia copies of Salomé, a comic-based educational initiative that introduces children to exoplanets and the scientific method in an engaging, narrative-driven format. The team also plans to develop complementary workshops, and train teachers to use the Salomé comic as an accessible entry point to planetary science.
Images
Laura Ramirez Galeano and Natalia Oliveros receiving the Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement 2025 on behalf of RECA Educación at EPSC-DPS2025 in Helsinki, Finland. Credit: Europlanet.
We are a network that wants to unite and link Colombian astronomy students with professionals and aspiring astronomers.
Mission: Teach astronomy in Colombia at all educational levels, with the support of RECA’s professional astronomers. All resources we offer are free of charge for the benefit of school students and teachers.
Vision: To be a support for schools in their educational challenges of astronomy and a reference for the new generations of all the regions of Colombia.
Recognise achievements in engaging European citizens with planetary science, promoting inspiration, learning and social responsibility.
Raise the profile of public engagement and education as valued activities within the scientific community.
About the Joint Meeting of the Europlanet Science Congress and the Division of Planetary Sciences (EPSC-DPS)
The Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC), established in 2006 as the European Planetary Science Congress, is the largest planetary science meeting in Europe. It covers the entire range of planetary sciences, with an extensive mix of talks, workshops and poster sessions, as well as providing a unique space for networking and exchanges of experiences.
EPSC joined forces for the first time with the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) for a joint meeting in Nantes, France, in 2011. This was followed by DPS-EPSC 2016 in Pasadena, EPSC-DPS 2019 in Geneva, and the return to the United States for the DPS-EPSC 2023 meeting in San Antonio. This year marks the third iteration of a joint European-based meeting. The intent of the joint meetings is not only to connect the European and North American planetary science communities, but also to consolidate two major meetings and motivate planetary scientists from all over the globe to attend. With over 1800 participants joining in person and online, EPSC-DPS2025 is the largest planetary science meeting held to date in Europe. https://www.epsc-dps2025.eu
Follow on social media (Bluesky, X and LinkedIn) with the hashtag #EPSC-DPS2025 for updates on the meeting.
About Europlanet
Europlanet (europlanet.org) is a non-profit association and membership organisation that provides the planetary science community with access to research infrastructure, services and training. The Europlanet Association Sans But Lucratif (AISBL), established in 2023, builds on the heritage of a series of projects funded by the European Commission between 2005 and 2024 (Grant Numbers 871149, 654208, 228319 and RICA-CT-2004-001637) to support the planetary science community in Europe and around the world.
About the DPS
The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS), founded in 1968, is the largest special-interest Division of the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Members of the DPS study the bodies of our own solar system, from planets and moons to comets and asteroids, and all other solar-system objects and processes. With the discovery that planets exist around other stars, the DPS has expanded its scope to include the study of extrasolar planetary systems as well. The American Astronomical Society (AAS), established in 1899, is the major organization of professional astronomers in North America. The mission of the AAS is to enhance and share humanity’s scientific understanding of the universe as a diverse and inclusive astronomical community, which it achieves through publishing, meeting organization, science advocacy, education and outreach, and training and professional development.
The results of the elections of the Europlanet Executive Board were announced at the Europlanet General Assembly at EPSC-DPS 2025 on Tuesday 9 September. Three new members were elected to the Board to join the President, two Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary and three Board Members.
Find out about their objectives and what they hope to achieve by serving on the Europlanet Executive Board over the next four years:
As a postdoctoral researcher, I understand both the opportunities and the challenges that shape the journeys of students, PhDs, and postdocs within our community. I have been actively involved in Europlanet for several years, through the Transnational Access scheme, the Early Career Communications Working Group, review panels, teaching resources, illustrating EPSC conferences, and speaking at the Early Career Annual Week. These roles have shown me the breadth of opportunities Europlanet provides for early career researchers, both within academia and in many other career paths.
If elected to the Executive Board, my priorities will be to highlight funding and training opportunities, so early career researchers are aware of the resources that can help their careers progress. I want to strengthen links with the Early Careers Network, acting as a facilitator between the grassroots community and Europlanet leadership. I will work to broaden career pathways, encouraging opportunities in communication, policy, and industry as well as academia. I will also support inclusivity and accessibility, helping to reduce barriers for underrepresented groups and under-resourced regions. Finally, I want to recognise and celebrate the contributions of young researchers, ensuring they feel connected, represented, and empowered within our community.
Séverine Robert – Planetary Atmospheres, Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy(BIRA/IASB)
Séverine Robert, Board Member (2025-2029)
I am a planetary scientist working on planetary atmospheres at the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy in Brussels. For the past five years, I have been actively involved in the Europlanet Regional Hubs. This experience has shown me the challenges of building and maintaining active local communities, but also reinforced my belief in the importance of creating these connections. I am convinced that our community becomes stronger, more impactful, and more resilient when we collaborate, share resources, and bring together diverse ideas.
If elected to the Executive Board, I will support Europlanet in sustaining its long-term activities, ensuring geographical inclusivity, and encouraging the participation of early-career researchers. I want to help shape the Society’s strategic direction, support existing initiatives, and bring new ideas with energy and commitment. I believe that learned societies such as Europlanet are essential for structuring our community, promoting our disciplines, and building bridges between science, society, and policy. As a Board member, I will be dedicated to actively representing the members, encouraging synergies across the Regional Hubs, and advancing the core values of openness and cooperation that lie at the heart of the Europlanet Society.
Stéphane Erard – Observatory of Paris / LIRA/ VESPA
Stéphane Erard, Board Member (2025-2029)
I am a planetary scientist at the Observatory of Paris / LIRA, working on the origin and evolution of terrestrial planets and small bodies, from Mars to asteroids, comets, the Moon, and Mercury. My career bridges observation, modelling, and data stewardship, always with the aim of making scientific progress collaborative, open, and inclusive. Over three decades, I have contributed to major space missions such as Mars Express, Rosetta, Venus Express, and BepiColombo, alongside telescopic and laboratory studies of planetary surface spectroscopy. Since joining Europlanet-RI in 2009, I have led efforts to make Solar System data openly available, including coordinating the VESPA data access service, a cornerstone of Europlanet’s infrastructure.
If elected to the Board, I will work to strengthen data services for researchers and Pro-Am collaborations, expand collaboration between space agencies, institutions, and infrastructures such as EOSC, and support early-career researchers through training, mentorship, and international networking. I will also promote diversity and inclusion to reduce barriers for underrepresented groups and countries, and encourage sustainable practices in research infrastructure. I bring experience in data leadership, a deep knowledge of Europlanet’s frameworks, and a vision for a Society that is ambitious, inclusive, and socially responsible.
We are devastated by the news that Riccardo Pozzobon was involved in a tragic accident while on a research trip to the Mendenhall Glacier, Alaska, on 2 September 2025.
Riccardo graduated in Geology and Technical Geology in Padua in 2010 and, after obtaining his PhD, specialised in the field of planetary geology.
A talented and inspirational researcher, Riccardo participated in numerous international missions, published significant studies (including discoveries on lunar lava tubes) and was a lecturer in the Digital Geological Mapping at the University of Padova. He was also an instructor in the PANGEA training course for astronauts at the European Space Agency.
For Europlanet, he was a key driver of the Geological Mapping (GMAP) activity and, in particular, the Geological Mapping Winter School. The online Winter School, established during Covid in 2021, has grown to attract over 750 participants in 2025 and is a reflection of Riccardo’s commitment to curiosity, collaboration and community building.
He will be very much missed.
Our thoughts are with Riccardo’s family, particularly his wife and young son. To support them in this unimaginably difficult time, efforts are underway by friends and colleagues at the University of Padova to set up a donation fund.
There will be book of condolence at the main Europlanet stand at EPSC-DPS2025 from 08-12 September, which we invite Riccardo’s friends and colleagues to sign. Alternatively, please share memories of him or pictures via the form below, which we will collate and send with the book to the family.
We will add here details of pages with further information about Riccardo and ways to support his family as they become available.
Riccardo Pozzobon. Credit: ESA.Riccardo Pozzobon creating a 3D model of samples collected by Luca Parmitano one hour previously on the ISS. Credit: AP Rossi.Riccardo Pozzobon (left) during an ESA PANGEA training course. Credit: AP Rossi.Riccardo Pozzobon during a field trip. Credit: University of Padova.Riccardo Pozzobon (right) during an ESA PANGEA-X training course in 2017. Credit: AP Rossi.
Earlier in 2025, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Planetenforschung (German Society for Planetary Research) was established. The new association is organising a splinter meeting at EPSC-DPS2025 to advertise its activites and to discuss its relationship and potential collaboration with the Europlanet Germany Regional Hub.
The position of Europlanet Germany Regional Hub is currently vacant, as are some other roles within the Committee. People who are interested in taking on the role of Hub Chair, other roles, or becoming involved in other ways, are invited to attend the EPSC-DPS2025 Splinter meeting at Finlandia Hall on Wednesday, September 2025 from 12:45–13:45 (EEST) in Room Triton (Room 24).
The election results will be announced during the General Assembly at the EPSC-DPS joint meeting in Helsinki/online on Tuesday 9 September 2025. An online ballot will be launched at least 20 days before the meeting, with all Europlanet members encouraged to vote.
The Executive Board is the governing body of the Europlanet Association and Society; Executive Board members are responsible for directing and controlling the affairs and property of Europlanet, including EPSC. The Executive Board consists of five Officers (the President, two Vice-Presidents, the Secretary and the Treasurer) and six other Members, who are elected for a period of four years.
In 2025 the elections will concern three Board Member positions. The Officers of Europlanet thank the outgoing Board Members, Federica Duras, Leigh Fletcher and Melissa Mirino, for their service over recent years.
The call for nominations is now open for potential candidates for the Europlanet Executive Board Member positions. The call will close on 1 August 2025.
Any two Europlanet members may nominate candidates for the election to the Executive Board. Self-nomination is possible and encouraged, and any person nominating a third party should have their agreement that their name can be put forward. Standing as a candidate for Board Member is an important opportunity to help shape Europlanet at an exciting time, so please consider taking on this role!
Workload for the Executive Board members
Executive Board members will meet virtually on a monthly basis to review the activities of Europlanet, its finances and to provide directions on future actions. Executive Board members are expected to follow-up on Europlanet activities relevant to their remit, and report on these activities during the Executive Board meetings.
From time to time, Europlanet Board members will be asked to review funding requests submitted by Europlanet committees and members, as well as bi-annual reports from Europlanet committees and working groups.
Executive Board members are expected to attend the General Assembly (normally timed to coincide with the EPSC meeting) and other virtual meetings during the year (Europlanet Teams Days in November and May) to report on activities of Europlanet to its membership.
Finally, Executive Board members should act as ambassadors of Europlanet, wherever possible, to promote its activities and actively look for collaboration and funding opportunities for the association.
Conflicts of Interest
Executive Board members should declare any potential conflict of interest that could prevent them from acting in the best interest of Europlanet, notably with respect to European and international organisations and funding agencies (e.g. the European Commission, ESA, NASA) and sister organisations.
About the Europlanet Prize For Public Engagement 2025
The Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement recognises achievements in engaging citizens with planetary science. The Prize is awarded annually to individuals or groups who have developed innovative and socially impactful practices in planetary science communication, engagement or education.
The Europlanet Prize for Public Engagement 2025 will consist of a cash award of €1000, a registration waiver and a travel grant of €250 for the EPSC-DPS 2025 Joint Meeting in Helsinki.
The call is now closed. Winners will be notified by 31 July 2025.
Join us online on 7 May for Europlanet Teams Day, a space to explore the different ways people contribute to Europlanet, how to be more involved, and what Europlanet can do for you. Themed around fast-paced, interactive activities and breakout sessions with our regional hubs and thematic committees and working groups, Europlanet Teams Day aims to get the community talking and working together.
Come and learn more about the bodies that make up the Europlanet community and where you fit into them.
Akos Kereszturi has taken up the role of Chair of the Europlanet Central Europe Hub from Andrea Opitz. Many thanks to Akos for taking this role and to Andrea for her efforts over recent years.
Ákos Kereszturi, Chair of the Europlanet Central Europe Hub.Ákos Kereszturi, Chair of the Central Europe Hub
Akos Kereszturi (DSc) is a planetary geologist in Hungary. His main fields of research are surface analysis of Mars, Moon, Venus, asteroids and other bodies, laboratory analysis of meteorites, and various astrobiology related topics, especially on the occurrence of liquid water and estimation of habitability. He is also working on Mars analogue field sites, and on the planning of robotic missions, contributing in the Comet Interceptor, Franklin Rosalind ExoMars rover, and HERA missions. He has worked as the ESPC Scientific Organising Committee (SOC) co-chair and will finish his term at the EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting .
Akos is leading the Astrophysical and Geochemical Laboratory at his home institute, fusing astronomy, geology, geochemistry and geography aspects, and teaching at the Eotvos Lorand University of Sciences in Budapest, as well as doing outreach and popularisation works as the president of the Hungarian Astronomical Association. He is deeply interested in to support East-European planetary science communities and activities, including to establish connections toward western institutes and ESA in various aspects exploiting funding possibilities.
Europlanet Executive Office – Invitation to Tender
Europlanet invites proposals to host its Executive Office. The Executive Office is responsible for administrative tasks, communications, membership coordination and technical support for Europlanet activities. Hosting the Europlanet Executive Office presents a unique opportunity to play a central role in Europlanet’s mission, supporting its day-to-day operations and long-term vision.
About Europlanet
Europlanet (europlanet.org) promotes the advancement of planetary science and related fields for the benefit of the community. It is an international non-profit association (AISBL), registered in Belgium, and is open to individual and organisational members. Its core programmes include the provision of access to research infrastructure, virtual tools and services, training and networking activities. It also fosters grass-roots programmes to support the community.
Scope of the Europlanet Executive Office
The Executive Office tasks are presented as a series of four Modules, which could be carried out by a single organisation, or a combination of organisations working together to complete the package of tasks. Knowledge of the planetary and/or international research community is desirable but not essential.
Overall, the staff effort is expected to total around 1 Full-Time Employee (FTE) to cover the Core Modules 1-4 (the Extended Module 2 is expected to require additional time and specialist skills and knowledge of the subject area, so is listed as optional). However, given the range of skills required, it is anticipated that a team of individuals working part time may be needed to provide the complete package of support.
Quotes are invited for hosting the whole Executive Office package, or for specific Modules (e.g. Modules 1-3, Module 4 only, or Extended Module 2).
The contract with Europlanet AISBL to provide the Executive Office services will be for a five-year period, with a review and opportunity to terminate after three years.
Timeline
Call opens: 13 March 2025 Call closes: 23 April 2025 Interviews: 5-23 May 2025 Notification: 31 May 2025 Provisional contract start: 1 November 2025
Submissions
Details of how to prepare your submission and how proposals will be evaluated can be found in the full Invitation to Tender.
Please send your clarification questions and submissions to: Anita Heward, Vice President, Europlanet (aheward@europlanet.org).
You are also welcome to request an informal call to discuss proposals in advance of the submission deadline.
Call for Nominations for Chair and Vice-Chair of Europlanet Diversity Committee
We invite nominations for one Chair and one Vice-Chair position on the Diversity Committee of Europlanet. Deadline for nominations: 10 January 2025.
The Europlanet Diversity Committee acts as a strategic task force to advise, coordinate and champion activities across Europlanet that further its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusivity.
The Diversity Committee consists of ten officers from the Regional Hubs, an EPEC representative, an Executive Board representative, a Chair, a Vice-Chair, and a Secretary.
The call for nominations is now open for President and Vice President of Europlanet Diversity Committee. The call will close on 10 January 2025.
Standing as a candidate for Chair or Vice-Chair of the Diversity Committee is an important opportunity to help shape Europlanet at an exciting time, so please consider putting your name forward!
Application Form for Chair or Vice-Chair of the Diversity Committee
The results of the elections of the Europlanet Society Executive Board were announced at the Europlanet General Assembly on Tuesday, 10 September 2024. Anita Heward will join the Board of the Europlaent Society and Europlanet AISBL.
Find out about her objectives and what she hopes to achieve by serving on the Board of the Europlanet Society over the next four years.
Vice President
Anita Heward
Anita Heward Vice-President (2024-2026)
I have been involved in Europlanet since 2006, when I took part in the very first outreach workshop and set up the press office for the inaugural Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) in Berlin. Since then, I have worked with Europlanet as it has evolved from a Networking Activity to a Research Infrastructure (RI), a Consortium and a Society, playing an active role in its outreach, communications and management, and helping to put in place the structures for its most recent incarnations.
In 2019, I became the first elected Secretary of the Europlanet Society, serving a four-year term until November 2023. I led communications and community networking activities in the €10 million EC-funded Europlanet 2024 RI project, which ran from 1 February 2020 until 31 July 2024, and was a part of the Management Team at the University of Kent. I acted as the Virtual Organising Committee Chair for the first fully-virtual EPSC in 2020, and I have served as Vice-Chair of EPSC from 2021-2024 and for the 2019 EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting. Over the past year, I have also chaired a Sustainability Working Group to look at how to sustain activities carried out by Europlanet 2024 RI beyond the EC grant. I was a founding member of the Europlanet Association Sans But Lucratif (AISBL) which was established in 2023 to provide a independent legal structure for the sustainability of Europlanet activities.
I have been a director and trustee of several small businesses and charities, including the Dill Faulkes Educational Trust Ltd since 2012, and I have nearly 25 years’ experience working for astronomy-related organisations around the world.
I am now standing as Vice-President of the Executive Board of the Europlanet Society and Association to ask for a mandate to help Europlanet make the transition to a new, sustainable footing as a non-profit association that provides professional services to the community. I do not seek a full 4-year term and aim to stand down by 2026 to make way for a new Vice President or President Elect who can take Europlanet forward, beyond this transitional phase.
The last few years have been a time of significant upheaval and challenge for us all due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For Europlanet, it has also been a time of rapid change and evolution. Independent evaluation of the Europlanet 2024 RI project demonstrates, for the first time, robust evidence of the important role Europlanet plays in underpinning the planetary community by providing access to facilities, field sites, services and expertise. It is critical that these activities should be maintained for the benefit of the community.
In September 2024, Europlanet will launch a new organisational membership programme that will provide a solid foundation for its research infrastructure and networking activities, which have been developed and optimised over nearly 20 years.
I believe that my longstanding knowledge of Europlanet, coupled with my practical experience of running small non-profit enterprises, puts me in a unique position to help Europlanet through this evolution into an independent, sustainable association.
Europlanet’s ‘raison d’être’ is to support the planetary science community in Europe, cementing values of inclusiveness, diversity, collaboration and excellence in science. I would like to help ensure that Europlanet can continue to deliver this support to benefit the next generation of planetary scientists and, more broadly, Europe’s citizens.
Prof Ravit Helled, of the University of Zurich in Switzerland, has been awarded the 2024 Paolo Farinella Prize for her outstanding contributions to research into ‘the internal structure of planetary bodies: clues on formation processes of the Solar System’. The award ceremony took place today during the Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) 2024 in Berlin and was followed by a prize lecture by Prof Helled.
The annual prize was established in 2010 to honour the memory of the Italian scientist Paolo Farinella (1953-2000). Each year, the prize acknowledges an outstanding researcher not older than 47 years (the age of Prof Farinella when he passed away) who has achieved important results in one of Prof Farinella’s fields of work. Each edition of the prize focuses on a different research area and, in 2024, the topic covered theoretical, modelling, experimental and observational work on the internal structure of Solar System bodies, including planets, moons and small bodies. The award is supported by the Europlanet Society.
Prof Helled’s research deals with the formation of gaseous-rich planets inside and outside the Solar System. Her research on planetary interiors aims to determine the composition and internal structures of planets. She proposed that the cores of giant planets, which are enriched with heavy elements, might not be distinct from the rest of the deep interior region. This idea that cores are dilute or fuzzy, with some hydrogen and helium contained in the core and a gradual heavy-element structure extending into the deep interior, has since been confirmed by mission data.
Adriano Campo Bagatin, of the University of Alicante in Spain, said on behalf of the Paolo Farinella Prize Committee: “Ravit Helledhas made first-order contributions to our understanding of giant planet formation, structure and evolution. She introduced the idea of dilute cores that was subsequently confirmed by Juno and Cassini measurements of Jupiter and Saturn. She has investigated different possible structures for gas giants and ice giants, both in this Solar System and elsewhere, and has shown how these structures are related to accretion processes. She has a strongly international perspective with involvement in both ESA and NASA spacecraft missions.”
Prof Helled obtained her Bachelor’s degree and PhD from the University of Tel Aviv. She joined the Department of Astrophysics at the University of Zurich in 2016 as Assistant Professor and has been Full Professor since 2023. She is a Co-Investigator on NASA’s Juno and ESA’s Juice missions, a Science Team Member of ESA’s Plato mission and the Interior Working Group Leader and a Consortium Member of ESA’s Ariel mission.
Prof Helled said on receiving the award: “I am very honored to receive the Farinella Prize. I am proud to be part of the planetary science community and thankful for doing research on a daily basis. I also thank my collaborators, students and postdocs who make the science journey so exciting and enjoyable.“
About the Paolo Farinella Prize
The Paolo Farinella Prize (https://www.europlanet.org/paolo-farinella-prize/) was established to honour the memory and the outstanding figure of Paolo Farinella (1953-2000), an extraordinary scientist and person. The prize is awarded in recognition of significant contributions given in the fields of interest of Farinella, which span from planetary sciences to space geodesy, fundamental physics, science popularization, and security in space, weapons control and disarmament. The winner of the prize is selected each year on the basis of their overall research results in a chosen field. Candidates must participate in international and interdisciplinary collaborations, and be not older than 47 years, the age of Farinella when he passed away, at the date of 25 March 2000. The prize was first proposed during the ‘International Workshop on Paolo Farinella the scientist and the man’, held in Pisa in 2010 and supported by the University of Pisa, ISTI/CNR and by IAPS-INAF (Rome), and first awarded in 2011.
The 2024 Paolo Farinella Prize Committee:
Francis Nimmo (Chair. UC Santa Cruz, USA)
Erik Asphaug (Univ. of Arizona, USA)
Ricardo Hueso (Univ. del País Vasco, Spain)
Hauke Hussmann (DLR, Germany)
Catherine Johnson (UBC, Canada)
Adriano Campo Bagatin (Univ. Alicante, Spain)
Paolo Farinella Prize winners:
2011: William Bottke (Physics and dynamics of small Solar System bodies)
2012: John Chambers (Formation and early evolution of the Solar System)
2013: Patrick Michel (Collisional processes in the Solar System)
2014: David Vokrouhlicky (Understanding of the dynamics and physics of Solar System, including how pressure from solar radiation affects the orbits of both asteroids and artificial satellites)
2015: Nicolas Biver (Molecular and isotopic composition of cometary volatiles by means of submillimetre and millimetre ground and space observations)
2016: Kleomenis Tsiganis (Studies of the applications of celestial mechanics to the dynamics of planetary systems, including the development of the Nice model)
2017: Simone Marchi (Understanding the complex problems related to the impact history and physical evolution of the inner Solar System, including the Moon)
2018: Francis Nimmo (Understanding of the internal structure and evolution of icy bodies in the Solar System and the resulting influence on their surface processes)
2019: Scott Sheppard and Chad Trujillo (Observational characterisation of the Kuiper belt and the Neptune-trojan population)
2020: Jonathan Fortney and Heather Knutson (Understanding of the structure, evolution and atmospheric dynamics of giant planets)
2021: Diana Valencia and Lena Noack (Understanding of the interior structure and dynamics of terrestrial and super-Earth exoplanets)
2022: Julie Castillo-Rogez and Martin Jutzi (Asteroids: Physics, Dynamics, Modelling and Observations)
2023: Federica Spoto and Diego Turrini (From superbolides to meteorites: physics and dynamics of small planetary impactors).
The Europlanet Science Congress (https://www.epsc2024.eu/), established in 2006 as the European Planetary Science Congress, is the largest planetary science meeting in Europe and regularly attracts around 1200 participants. It covers the entire range of planetary sciences with an extensive mix of talks, workshops and poster sessions, as well as providing a unique space for networking and exchanges of experiences.
Follow on X/Twitter via @europlanetmedia and using the hashtag #EPSC2024.
About Europlanet
Europlanet (www.europlanet-society.org) is a not-for-profit association and membership organisation that provides the planetary science community with access to research infrastructure, services and training. The Europlanet Internationale Association Sans But Lucratif (AISBL), established in 2023, builds on the heritage of a series of projects funded by the European Commission between 2005 and 2024 to support the planetary science community in Europe and around the world.
Europlanet received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement numbers 871149 (Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure) and 654208 (Europlanet 2020 RI), FP7 under grant agreement number 228319 (Europlanet RI) and FP6 under grant agreement number RICA-CT-2004-001637 (European Planetology Network).
The Ireland-UK Hub Committee met in person at the British Planetary Science Congress (BPSC) in June 2024. The mission statement for the Hub, the committee composition and the recruitment of positions to be filled were discussed. The hub is particularly searching for more Irish representatives to join the committee.
BPSC 2024 took place at Space Park Leicester (SPL) and the adjacent National Space Centre in Leicester between 18-21 June. The event started with a 1-day workshop for early careers, during which experienced SPL engineers and project managers presented examples of how space instruments and missions are developed. The main 3-day conference consisted of oral and poster sessions, reflecting the range of topical planetary and space science activities in the UK. Europlanet sponsored the event through the Ireland-UK Hub. The Europlanet Management Team from the University of Kent attended with a stand and participated in the community consultation day.
Get to know some of the members of the Ireland-UK Hub Committee through their profiles:
Steve Miller – Interim Chair and Royal Astronomical Society Liaison, University College London
Steve Miller
Steve Miller is Emeritus Professor of Science Communication and Planetary Science at University College London, and Chair of the Royal Astronomical Society’s outreach and engagement programme RAS200: Sky & Earth. His planetary science interests lie in understanding how giant planets – like Jupiter and Saturn, and some of the hot, giant exoplanets – couple with their space environment. A former political journalist, Steve is interested in wider science and society issues. He is (co-)author of Science in Public: communication, culture and credibility (1998) and The Chemical Cosmos: a guided tour (2011). Steve is a Founder Member of Europlanet and the Europlanet Society.
Peter Fawdon – UK Planetary Forum Liaison, Open University
Peter is a research fellow at the Open University. In his research is he uses geological remote sensing to understand the geological history of early Mars. Focusing on geographic contexts of where heat (volcanoes) and water (rivers, lakes and ice) have interacted. This is part of his broad interest in the context of life outside Earth; understanding where the places are in which life could have lived. He is an involved member of the ExoMars mission, as part of the Science operations working group leading the geological mapping of the landing site, as and as part of the PanCam and CaSSIS camera teams.
Peter became involved in Europlanet through his organisation of BPSC2022 and his desire to expand the UK Planetary Forum to better serve the needs of the flourishing planetary research community across the British Isles.
Chrysa Avdellidou – Vice Chair, University of Leicester
Chrysa Avdellidou
I am a Lecturer in Planetary Science (University of Leicester), studying asteroids, moons and impacts in our solar system with experiments and observations. I am a collaborator at the ORISIS-REx, an ESA participating scientist at the Martian Moon eXploration, and I participate in the LUnar Meteoroid Impact Observer cubesat team. I hold a Physics Degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a PhD in Physics from the University of Kent. I was a fellow at ESA/ESTEC and at the Observatory of Nice. I am a council member of the Royal Astronomical Society. My aim is to promote planetary science via the UK/Ireland node.
Jack Wright – Secretary, Open University
Jack Wright
Originally from Belfast, Jack Wright is a European Space Agency Research Fellow based at the European Space Astronomy Centre outside Madrid, Spain. He completed his PhD in planetary geology at the Open University (UK) in 2019, during which he made the first geological map of Mercury’s Hokusai quadrangle. He stayed at the Open University for two postdoctoral positions where he produced advanced planetary maps, including machine-learning-derived terrain maps of Martian rover landing sites. At ESA, he continues to use geological mapping to address big questions about Mercury, including the subsurface distribution of the planet’s enigmatic volatiles. Jack is looking forward to strengthening ties between planetary science researchers in Ireland and the UK as Secretary of the Europlanet Ireland & UK Regional Hub.
Lewis Dartnell – Outreach Officer, University of Westminster
Lewis Dartnell
I graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences and completed my PhD at University College London in 2007. I now hold the Professorship in Science Communication at the University of Westminster. My research is in the field of astrobiology and the search for microbial life on Mars, focusing on the cosmic radiation bombarding the martian surface. I am also very active in science communication and outreach. I deliver live events at schools and science festivals, work as a scientific consultant for the media, and have published five books, including one on astrobiology: ‘Life in the Universe: A Beginner’s Guide’. www.lewisdartnell.com
Planetary science research interests: Astrobiology, Mars, Cosmic Radiation, Extremophiles, Biosignatures
Connor Hoad – EPEC Representative, Royal Holloway, University of London
Connor Hoad
I am a PhD student at Royal Holloway University of London, specialising in the remote sensing of Venus’s exotic surface terrains using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. Scientific interests outside of my PhD include the employment of machine learning techniques for planetary surface exploration, and SAR investigation of the lunar regolith. My involvement in Europlanet is centred around facilitating the engagement of Irish and British early career researchers with the broader European Planetary Sciences community.
Callum Piper – Europlanet Liaison
Callum joined Europlanet in 2021, working with the management team of the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure to deliver access and networking activities to the planetary science community. Coming from a background in humanities, Callum coordinates community-building activities like the Europlanet Society Webinar Series and is heavily involved with Europlanet’s sustainability plans beyond the end of the Europlanet 2024 RI project.
Other Ireland-UK Hub Participants
Frances Butcher, University of Sheffield
Frances Butcher is a Leverhulme Early Career Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield. She researches glacial processes on Mars and Earth. She aims to understand the role of ice and ice-related processes in the evolution of Mars’ surface and climate, and also works on reconstructing Earth’s Quaternary ice sheets. Frances is committed to supporting the planetary science community and looks forward to facilitating interactions between the Irish, British and wider European planetary science communities.
Caitriona Jackman, Dunsink Observatory, Dublin
Prof Caitriona Jackman leads the Planetary Magnetospheres group and the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. Her research interests include magnetic reconnection, large-scale magnetospheric dynamics, remote sensing of radio, UV, X-ray emissions. She is very keen on communicating science to the general public, and led the development of Ireland’s first space-themed escape room at the DIAS Dunsink Observatory.
As the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI) comes to an end, the Project Coordinator Prof Nigel Mason reflects on the highlights, achievements and outcomes of the last 4.5 years, and looks forward to the next steps for Europlanet.
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
31st July marked the end of the Europlanet 2024 Research Infrastructure (RI) and, with it, the completion of a series of EC-funded projects over the course of some twenty years. Europlanet 2024 RI was built upon a rich heritage of Transnational Access programmes, Virtual Access services (most notably the VESPA and SPIDER platforms) and networking activities, but has advanced the field and community still further with:
The initiation of the Europlanet Telescope Network.
The inclusion of geological mapping and machine learning tools and services.
Extended international collaborations with partners in Africa, South America and Korea.
Strategic investment in upgrades to facilities to better-simulate and understand diverse and extreme planetary environments.
During Europlanet 2024 RI, we have provided services that have allowed the European planetary science community to continue to lead the world in pioneering research. We have supported over 300 researchers in their visits and research while providing access to a vast array of databases and tools for planetary and space science research through our Virtual Access programmes. We have been integral to more than 230 publications, and there are many more to come!
I contend that today it is almost impossible to view European planetary science without the presence of Europlanet. The annual Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) regularly attracts over 1200 delegates and has grown to become the recognised European meeting point of the planetary community. The Europlanet Early Career (EPEC) network supports the next generation of researchers, who will become the PIs of future missions! Europlanet is referenced in the strategic landscape analysis for European research infrastructures.
Throughout Europlanet 2024 RI, we have been planning for the sustainability of the Europlanet portfolio to ensure that twenty years of research and community work will continue into its third decade. I am therefore delighted to announce that, although Europlanet 2024 RI ends today, Europlanet is ready to continue its work and ambition.
Last year, we set up a not-for-profit association (Europlanet AISBL) that means we now have the legal structure in place to operate sustainably. In September 2024, we will be launching a new membership programme for organisations, in addition to the individual membership programmes we have been running since 2018. This new funding model will enable us to carry on our core activities, including:
Mobility programmes, with access to facilities, telescopes and expert exchanges.
Training and mentoring of early career planetary scientists and the wider community, including the Planetary Mapping Winter School.
Support for the community at a grass-roots level through travel bursaries, prizes and small grants.
Sustaining and growing our community through EPSC, strategic partnerships and other activities in all regions of Europe and internationally.
Ensuring the voice of the planetary science community is heard in important strategic fora in Europe and internationally.
An exciting aspect of moving beyond the EC-funded project is that we are not limited to a fixed set of beneficiaries. Henceforth, Europlanet is open to everyone, so any laboratory or research group working in the field will be able to join. With over 200 planetary-related organisations in Europe alone, that is already a sizeable pool of potential members — for a fee that is typically less than one open-access publication charge!
When organisational membership opens at EPSC, I would suggest that each of you ask your institution to join for at least one-year with a small amount from your project overheads to ensure that you are able to ensure your own legacy of Europlanet 2024 RI post-project. And, of course, we encourage you all to join as individual members. It is a small amount to support Europlanet, which is your community, designed and created through all your efforts.
A summary of our plans for Europlanet Beyond 2024 is online now, and further details will be circulated over the summer for discussion at EPSC and our final Council meeting. In the meantime, I wish to end with many thank yous:
Thank you to the Europlanet 2024 RI Consortium for the constant camaraderie and team spirit – we worked through the Covid-19 pandemic, and all the subsequent issues and changes we had to make, to deliver everything we had promised despite the challenges.
Thank you for the enthusiasm and dedication with which everyone addressed all the Europlanet 2024 RI tasks.
Thank you for delivering a truly extraordinary set of scientific and technical results that have ensured our community is at the forefront of one of the greatest endeavours of humanity – exploring our Solar System and beyond.
While everyone involved has played an essential part in Europlanet 2024 RI’s success I would like to express particular thanks to the Europlanet Office team:
Susmita Datta, without whom we would never have been able to run this project and secure Europlanet’s future. Her efforts for all of us were (and are) remarkable, not least in engaging with the Commission so tirelessly and ensuring all their staff were supportive of our many requests. She will be chasing us for those final reports to be presented at the final Council meeting in Berlin.
Anita Heward, who has lived Europlanet almost since its inception in 2004 and through whom so much of the recognition of Europlanet beyond our own community has been achieved. Europlanet 2024 RI is just one part of her ‘lifetime work’ for Europlanet community.
Alicia Barron, Zofia Kicinova and Rosemary Stevens for their inexhaustible work on the complexity of the project finances (Rosemary will be pestering you for your financial reports now).
Callum Piper, for whom this was his first full-time employment and who has taken on any task we have thrown at him. Note that Callum will continue to work with us and will be your main contact point in the new future of Europlanet.
Finally, to the whole Europlanet 2024 RI team, a personal thank you for making the last years ones in which I felt I was amongst a remarkable group of people who have made a significant impact in both science and the community. It has truly been a pleasure and privilege to be the coordinator of Europlanet 2024 RI which I will always look back upon as a highlight not only of my career but my life.
And now we move on into those ‘sunlight uplands’ not only on the Earth but all those other planets and moons out there…
Call for Nominations for Vice President of Europlanet Board
Europlanet invites nominations for one Vice-President position on the Executive Board of the Europlanet Society and Europlanet Association. Deadline for nominations: 09 August 2024.
The election results will be announced during the General Assembly at the hybrid Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) 2024 in Berlin/online on Tuesday, 10 September 2024. An electronic ballot will be launched 20 days before the meeting, with all members of the Society encouraged to vote.
The Executive Board is the governing body of the Europlanet Society and the Executive Board members are responsible for directing and controlling the affairs and property of the Europlanet Society, including EPSC. The Executive Board consists of the five officers of the Society (the President, two Vice-Presidents, the Secretary and the Treasurer) and six other members, who are elected for a period of four years.
The President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary and Treasurer also sit on the administrative body of the Europlanet Association (AISBL), the Europlanet legal entity established in 2023 in Belgium and, as such, are legal representatives of the Europlanet Association and responsible for taking decisions on its behalf.
The President, Treasurer, Secretary, one Vice President and six Board Members were elected less than four years ago. As such, the elections in 2024 will only concern one open Vice-President officer position, which is vacant as Angelo Pio Rossi is stepping down after the completion of his term.
The call for nominations is now open for potential candidates for the Europlanet Society Executive Board Vice President position. The call will close on 09 August 2024.
Any two or more members of the Europlanet Society may nominate candidates for the election to the Executive Board. Self-nomination is possible and encouraged. Standing as a candidate for Vice-President is an important opportunity to help shape Europlanet at an exciting time, so please consider taking on this role!
Europlanet is delighted welcome Noah Jäggi as the Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) Incoming Vice Chair.
An introduction from Noah:
I am a space physicist with a background in geochemistry that connects laboratory experiments to numerical simulations. In 2019 I joined the Europlanet Early Career (EPEC) network and have been an active member since, co-organising early career focused events at EPSC and chairing the EPEC@EPSC working group from 2020 to 2022. In mid-2023 I completed my PhD and decided to become the EPEC treasurer to remain in contact with EPEC projects. Since then, I have moved to the USA for a two-year postdoctoral fellowship, continuing my services as a treasurer for EPEC, and I recently returned to EPEC@EPSC to organise another Science Flash at this year’s EPSC in Berlin. I am looking forward to serving as the EPSC vice chair going forward and am immensely grateful for the warm welcome I received from the EPSC committee.
Europlanet’s sister-project, EXPLORE, has been funded by the European Commission to develop Machine Learning and advanced visualisation tools to support the astronomy and planetary communities. One of the real strengths of the EXPLORE project is the diverse skills-set of the team. As the project comes to a close, we’ve asked people working on the project to reflect on their careers, their inspirations and the advice that they would pass on. Click on the images below to read their career profiles. If they look familiar, many of the team are also part of the Europlanet 2024 RI project’s GMAP activity and comms team.
Nick CoxAlbert ZijlstraAnita HewardGiacomo NodjoumiAngelo Pio RossiJavier SuárezIain McDonaldManuela RauchAndree GenotLian GreijnVix Southgate.
We have produced an edited set of the profiles for download:
Name: Iain McDonald EXPLORE Project Role: Lead developer of S-Phot Stellar Scientific Data Application Professional Role and Affiliation: Research Fellow, University of Manchester Nationality: British Current location: Scotland
1. What did you want to be when you were 10?
I didn’t really have a clue, but I’d just learned to programme and I guessed it would involve computers.
2. What was your favourite subject at school?
Unsurprisingly, physics!
3. What did you study at university? Why did you choose those topics and the places to study?
I studied astrophysics at St. Andrews. I had always had a passion for astronomy, space and writing, and a career in astrophysics let me combine the three. I chose St. Andrews because it was the closest university, meaning I could still help out on the family farm when I had a break.
4. How did you get your first job? How many jobs have you had since?
I am still in my first “real” job, which was a fortunate combination of my examiner needing a researcher at the same time I was finishing my PhD. My role and research has changed throughout the years, and I have had other jobs at the same time, but I’ve been fortunate to have been in this job for over 14 years.
5. What’s been the biggest piece of luck or ‘surprise twist’ you have had in your career to date?
I never expected to research the diversity of science I do today. Branching out from stars into discovering exoplanets isn’t that unusual, but I would never have guessed that I’d be publishing textbooks on genetic genealogy and papers in medieval history journals!
6. Have you had a mentor or person that inspired you? How did they help you?
I owe a great debt of gratitude to too many people to mention by name. Whether that’s been someone who has proof-read my latest fellowship proposal, or someone who has sorted out my travel problems when I’m stuck in another country, or being taught how to correctly deal with liquid nitrogen or read an autocue. I am grateful to work in a very friendly community who are supportive of each other.
7. What are the main things you do each day?
Poke computers until they do what I want them to. That might be programming a new form of analysis, making plots to examine data, or writing papers.
8. What do you like best about the work that you do and what do you like least?
The best part of my job are still the occasional times I get to spend the night observing on top of some remote mountaintop in an exciting part of the world. More often, I still get excited about looking through a fresh set of data and seeing parts of how the Universe works that no-one has seen before. The worst part is needing the patience to analyse this new data rigorously – I always want to write up my papers quickly at tell the world what I’ve found.
9. Do you have ambitions or things that you would like to do next?
There are so many different things I would like to do but don’t have the time for. There are many details of the Universe that I would like to uncover, I would like to create a better model for how humans have migrated across the globe, I’d like to climb every mountain, learn to play the clarinet and buy a farm of my own. But the most important thing I will do over the next few years is bring up a family!
10. What advice would you give your 10-year-old self?
Push yourself to try more things and get better at them. The more things you try, the more things you’ll like, and you never know when those things will become useful to you in the future. And don’t be so hard on the people who tell you to do your homework – they really do have your best interests at heart!
Name: Lian Greijn EXPLORE Project Role: Intern Professional Role and Affiliation: Intern at Acri-ST & MSc student Aerospace Engineering at TU Delft Nationality: Dutch Current location: Toulouse, France.
1. What did you want to be when you were 10?
For a long time, I wanted to become a judge. However, when I was old enough to learn how monotone judicial texts are I quickly abandoned that dream.
2. What was your favourite subject at school?
My favourite subject was history, I really like reading and I enjoyed how it offers a perspective on how past events shape our modern world.
3. What did you study at university? Why did you choose those topics and the places to study?
I am still studying and in my final year for my MSc in aerospace engineering, I also completed my BSc in this field both at TU Delft. I always had a big passion for space and was very intrigued by the complexity of space missions. They have such challenging design criteria and really push the boundaries of engineering, I wanted to learn more about how we design and develop them. I chose Delft because it has a very strong international aerospace programme.
4. How did you get your first job? How many jobs have you had since?
I am of course still studying and haven’t had my first ‘real’ job yet, but I found this internship by asking around a lot in my university. For example, by approaching professors, the alumni relation office, and people I met through career events.
5. What’s been the biggest piece of luck or ‘surprise twist’ you have had in your career to date?
I was very adamant about going to Toulouse for my internship due to the strong aerospace industry in this city and because I studied French for a semester. It is however quite tough to find a position from abroad especially as a non-native French speaker. I had found an alumnus of my university who worked here and asked if he could help me. He happened to approach my current supervisor at their kid’s schoolyard to ask if he would know a position, which is what got me on this project.
6. Have you had a mentor or person that inspired you? How did they help you?
I have been inspired by almost everyone I worked with. I think working together on assignments or just discussing problems can really help with thinking outside the box and with motivation in general.
7. What are the main things you do each day?
As part of the project, I mostly spend my day programming in Python (and therefore also a lot of time googling issues). I also spend a bit of time working on public outreach, such as editing video tutorials.
8. What do you like best about the work that you do and what do you like least?
I really enjoy the required creativity and problem solving that comes with programming. You constantly find a new issue and try to figure out how to solve it. Sometimes tasks seem very daunting at the start, but when you manage to solve it, it is very rewarding.
What I like least is probably that most of the work is done just sitting behind a computer, I would love to move a little more and have a bit more of a change in scenery.
9. Do you have ambitions or things that you would like to do next?
Mostly to graduate next year!
10. What advice would you give your 10-year-old self?
A bit cliché but I would say to just enjoy life as a kid. I would also tell myself that I am not nearly as bad at maths as I like to make myself believe.
EXPLORE has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 101004214.
Europlanet 2024 RI has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 871149.
Europlanet AISBL (Association Internationale Sans But Lucratif – 0800.634.634) is hosted by the Department of Planetary Atmospheres of the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy (BIRA-IASB), Avenue Circulaire 3, B-1180 Brussels, Belgium.
